Now is the time to nominate your local hero.

We are looking for people who make a difference in Jefferson County — individuals who have made our communities a better place.

The three Rotary Clubs in Jefferson County and the Peninsula Daily News invite nominations for the 2012 Jefferson County Heart of Service Award.

The Heart of Service recognizes the dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments of local people who do extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.

The award — now in its seventh year — is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Port Townsend (noon club), the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club, the East Jefferson Rotary Club and the PDN.

“This award gives us the opportunity to highlight the good works of ordinary people in Jefferson County who unselfishly give their time and energy to help others,” said John Brewer, PDN editor and publisher.

“These build community. They are truly local heroes, working to make life here stronger, tighter, happier, richer.”

How to nominate

■ Nominations should be made using the accompanying coupon and must be returned to the Peninsula Daily News, 1939 E. Sims Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368, by 5 p.m. Monday, March 26. (The deadline was recently moved by the judging panel from March 19.)

■ A letter describing the merits and accomplishments of the person being nominated should be submitted with the coupon.

It should cite examples of the individual’s special dedication, sacrifices and significant accomplishments in community service.

■ If possible, the nomination should include supporting documents, such as copies (not originals) of other awards, newspaper articles or letters of support.

■ Individuals, clubs, churches, businesses or other organizations may nominate.

But only individuals, not organizations, can be nominees.

■ Anyone who lives in Jefferson County can be nominated.

Recipients of the Heart of Service Award in the past are not eligible for a 2012 award.

But those previously nominated, but not selected, for a Heart of Service Award are eligible for renomination.

What happens

A panel of judges will review the nominations and select one to six people to receive a Heart of Service Award at a luncheon in May.

The recipients receive framed award certificates and heart-shaped medals designed by Steve Rafoth, past president of the Rotary noon club and president and CEO of Enclume Design Products in Port Hadlock.

If you have any questions about the program, please phone Brewer at his direct number, 360-417-3500 (if he’s not in, there’s 24/7 voice mail).

Or email Brewer at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.

2011 honorees

Last year, judges selected four recipients from nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.

Receiving the 2011 Heart of Service:

■ Nora Porter of Port Townsend for vast and tireless public service in Jefferson County.

On Oct. 31, six months after receiving the award, Porter died of lung cancer at the age of 75.

She was a passionate and fiery board member for Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County and an outspoken supporter of many other causes, from the Port Townsend Foundation and Port Townsend High School Scholarship Foundation (both of which she helped create) to being a member of the Port Townsend School Board to longtime service on the Fort Worden Advisory Board.

■ Joe Carey, hands-on commander of American Legion Post 29 in Port Townsend.

He was a leader of efforts (and repairs) that allowed the legion building to be used as a winter homeless shelter and by the JC MASH free medical clinic.

He also led a campaign that resulted in construction of the new Scout House in American Legion Park.

■ Deborah Stinson of Port Townsend, the driving force behind many environmental and community sustainability efforts through the Local Investing Opportunities Network, EarthDay EveryDay, Local 20/20, the Climate Action Committee, Jefferson County Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Groups and the Quimper Mercantile Group.

She is now an elected member of the Port Townsend City Council.

■ Myron Vogt of Port Ludlow, one of the founders of the Boeing Bluebills, a retiree group composed of former Boeing workers known for their community work, especially on behalf of the elderly and disabled.

Vogt also works with almost a dozen senior agencies and community organizations in a partnership to serve those in need.

Other honorees

Receiving the 2010 Heart of Service were Shirley Moss, now the manager of the Port Townsend Food Bank; Gay Eisenberger of Port Townsend, leader of an innovative kindergarten phonics program at Chimacum Creek Primary School since 2006 and one of the founders of an educational consortium for the county; Mike Blair, then the Chimacum School District superintendent and the leader of a coalition that has now won a state Supreme Court ruling that the state of Washington is not fulfilling its constitutional duty to fully pay for basic public education; and Margaret Matheson of Port Hadlock, whose vast and tireless contributions — from her wheelchair — to the Chimacum-Irondale-Port Hadlock community stretch over 60 years.

■ 2009 — Robert Rosen, Janet Emery, Dr. James Rotchford, Larry Robinson and Wayne Chimenti.

■ 2008 — Candy Johnston, Virgil Porter, Sue and Bill McIntire, Helen Kullman and Alison Capener.

■ 2007 — Linda Ferris, Kim Hammers, Dyrk Lansdon, Martina Richard and Dr. John Barrett.

■ 2006 — Andy Mackie, Peggy Schafran, Bruce Marston and Pat and Ralph Williams.